Over the years, there have been several studies exploring how drinking coffee and tea could potentially reduce the risk of certain illnesses and diseases, including specific types of cancer. Research and analysis have continued into the links between drinking coffee and reducing cancer risks, and recently, some noteworthy findings were revealed.
A pooling of data from more than twelve different research studies was analysed late last year by cancer epidemiologist Yuan-Chin Amy Lee, PhD, and colleagues at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. The findings suggest that the consumption of coffee and certain teas may result in a considerably lower risk of more than one type of head and neck cancer.
Coffee and Decaf’s Role in Cancer Prevention
This analysis has several findings. One notable one was that individuals who consumed four or more cups of coffee, compared to those who don’t drink coffee at all, had a considerably lower risk of head and neck cancer. Due to the detail and breadth of studies included, other findings concluded that a cup of decaf coffee may potentially be beneficial in reducing the risk of at least one type of head and neck cancer, namely oral cavity cancer. This now helps further discussions among researchers on the idea that it may not just be the frequency of drinking coffee or caffeine that has the ability to lower cancer risk, as was once believed.
Other experts in the field, such as Caroline Um, PhD, from the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, also made comments about the study above, noting that while these findings are positive news, they do not lead to official dietary recommendations, and further research is still needed.
The Need for Further Research
With a growing number of individuals regularly drinking coffee and tea at a younger age, as well as increasing rates of breast cancer and colorectal cancer in young adults, experts emphasise the need to continue researching and exploring the potential benefits and associations of these beverages in cancer prevention. This is not to suggest a definitive link between coffee or tea and reduced cancer risk, as not all studies point to the above benefits. The goal is to assess all avenues and identify more potential risks and protective factors.
While there’s still much to learn, one thing’s for sure – coffee and tea will keep fuelling many people’s mornings and scientific curiosity!
Sources:
https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.35620
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